CABINET CHANGES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1933, Page 3

CABINET CHANGES

MR COATES’ NEW POST

FINANCE AND CUSTOMS MINISTER. WELLINGTON, January 24. Following tin* resignation of the Minister of Finance the Hon. W. Ijownie Stewart, a s a result of the Government's ■decision to raise the exchange rate,, several. Important changes have been made in the allocation of portfolios among Alinister s of th e C l 'own. The iRt. Hon. J. G. Coates, at pr e s " nt Minister of Employment, Public Works and Transport, will take over tthc portfolio,s of Finance and Customs surrendered by Air Stewart. This announcement has com e as a surprise in Parliamentary circles, since both in the United Government and during Mr Stewart’s recent absence abroad, these portfolios were held by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. The portfolio of Employment will he permanently administered by the Post-master-General, the H«n. A. Hamilton, who had charge of it during Air Coate:, absence at Ottawa. Mr Coates' othgr portfolios of Public Worxs and Transport-will probably Re retained by the Minister oi Agri-cu-tm e, tjia Hon. C. H. Macmillan, and the Minister of Land,?, tibe Hon. E. A. It a nsom, respectively. Al r Coates said this evening that he would at once take charge of finance, although he had still certain matters to consider associated with the three portfolios that lie is resigning. He will std' ba in charge of the Small Farm,-, Bill when that is discussed by tile House. Mr Stewart’s resignation from the Executive Couneil ihas been accepted by .Hi,: Excellency the Governor-Genera-, and a Gazette notice announcing bis resignation will .be published shoitly. The portfolio of Internal Affairs wH - o ,e handed over by Air Hamilton to the Minister -of. Health, the Hon. J. A. Young. The Prime 'Minister b ; mself will in Hie. meantime assume the At torn eyGen"ral.fhip. )Ma’ >Foribes said to-day that the vacancy cuused by Mr Stewart s resignation would not be filled until after the and that when it was filled there b e a further rearrangement of portfolios. Members of th= Cabinet are already very much overworked and there i,s a general opinion among them that a reduction in the number of 'Ministers from 12 to 10 when the Coalition Government was formed was not altogether wise. It is not improbable that the Government may consider increasing the number when changes 'me made at the end of the present session. ATr Stewart expects to retire from his office in the building within Vie next few days. He is receiving many callers, including members of the and i,s completing various financial inatteiuj upon which he hag lately been enga g e d. “I am looking forward to reading a book and smoking a pipe for a change,” he said to-day.